Unlocking the Potential of RNA Therapeutics: New Policy Paper Released by EU Projects EXPERT and B-SMART

The potential of RNA therapeutics is vast, extending far beyond COVID-19 vaccines. A comprehensive policy paper, just released by the consortia of two EU Horizon2020 projects, B-SMART and EXPERT, delves into the possibilities of RNA-based nanomedicines and calls for increased efforts directed towards RNA research.

While research in the B-SMART project, which concluded in 2022, focused on combating pervasive neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, the current EXPERT project takes a closer look at cardiovascular diseases and at non-communicable diseases like cancer.

The comprehensive B-SMART and EXPERT policy paper underscores the necessity for more targeted research schemes and additional funding to fully harness the potential of RNA-based therapeutics. The paper outlines opportunities, challenges, and recommends priorities to ensure Europe remains a global leader in this field, ultimately benefiting people and patients worldwide.

“The cmRNAbone project aims to utilise the power of mRNA therapeutics for bone repair and osteoporosis. This policy paper, authored by our fellow researchers from the European projects EXPERT and B-SMART, outlines some of the steps required to expand the availability of mRNA-based therapies. We strongly believe that the RNA field will experience positive outcomes through the synergies created in both advocacy and research efforts,” asserts cmRNAbone coordinator Martin Stoddart.

We strongly urge our network to download, read, and share this comprehensive paper.